Festival of Lights starts at sundown Saturday

Published: Friday, December 7, 2012 at 4:06 p.m.

Last Modified: Friday, December 7, 2012 at 6:12 p.m.

ORMOND BEACH — When Rabbi Barry Altman lights the first candle on the menorah this weekend, he'll think of what his forefathers fought for more than 2,000 years ago and what his people still fight for Saturday.

"We're reminded of how fortunate we are in the warmth of that candle," said Altman, who heads up Temple Beth-El in Ormond Beach.

Starting at sundown, millions of Jews worldwide will celebrate Hanukkah, an eight-day observance also known as the Festival of Lights that commemorates a time when people stood up against religious oppression.

This year's holiday comes on the heels of an eight-day siege in the Middle East after continuous rocket fire from terrorist group Hamas nearly sparked an all-out war.

"It gives us a sense of gratitude for what we have," Altman said.

While the holiday doesn't officially begin until later Saturday, children at Temple Beth-El's school got the party started on Friday.

During the school's celebration, children and parents sang songs and ate traditional Jewish potato pancakes known as latkes.

But the meaning isn't lost on the children. Sara Droker, whose children Ilari, 7, and Haley, 5, attend the school, are taught what Hanukkah is about.

"It's about celebrating a miracle," she said.

But Ilari also looks forward to other things that come with Hanukkah.

"Presents and joy," she said about the observance.

According to historical accounts, the Jews at the time were ruled by the Greeks, who outlawed Judaism and the Temple of Jerusalem was desecrated. A Jewish resistance movement began to grow led by the Maccabees. Three years of fighting ensued and the Maccabees prevailed.

According to the Talmud, after the Maccabees rededicated the Temple, they were ready to light the Ner Tamid, or Eternal light, but only one small jar of oil — believed to be enough to last one day -- was found. It lasted for eight days, thus the reason Hanukkah is celebrated for the same length of time.

Other synagogues are also planning events throughout the week. Altman said Temple Beth-El will have a congregationwide dinner next Friday.

"It's just a happy time," he said.

In Palm Coast, a Hanukkah latke party will be held at Temple Beth Shalom. Tickets are $7 for the event, which begins at 12:30 p.m. Sunday.

Chabad Lubavitch of Greater Daytona, 1079 W. Granada Blvd., Ormond Beach, is having a party scheduled for 2 p.m. Sunday, which will include snow sledding, petting zoo, a BMX bike show and grand menorah lighting, said Rabbi Shmuel Konikov.

"It will recall the victory of the army that was weak but spiritually strong," he said.

Konikov said as the eternal light remained lit, so will the Jewish people.

"With one little candle you can push away the darkness," he said. "It gives us courage to continue."

<p>ORMOND BEACH &mdash; When Rabbi Barry Altman lights the first candle on the menorah this weekend, he'll think of what his forefathers fought for more than 2,000 years ago and what his people still fight for Saturday. </p><p>"We're reminded of how fortunate we are in the warmth of that candle," said Altman, who heads up Temple Beth-El in Ormond Beach. </p><p>Starting at sundown, millions of Jews worldwide will celebrate Hanukkah, an eight-day observance also known as the Festival of Lights that commemorates a time when people stood up against religious oppression. </p><p>This year's holiday comes on the heels of an eight-day siege in the Middle East after continuous rocket fire from terrorist group Hamas nearly sparked an all-out war. </p><p>"It gives us a sense of gratitude for what we have," Altman said. </p><p>While the holiday doesn't officially begin until later Saturday, children at Temple Beth-El's school got the party started on Friday. </p><p>During the school's celebration, children and parents sang songs and ate traditional Jewish potato pancakes known as latkes. </p><p>But the meaning isn't lost on the children. Sara Droker, whose children Ilari, 7, and Haley, 5, attend the school, are taught what Hanukkah is about. </p><p>"It's about celebrating a miracle," she said. </p><p>But Ilari also looks forward to other things that come with Hanukkah. </p><p>"Presents and joy," she said about the observance. </p><p>According to historical accounts, the Jews at the time were ruled by the Greeks, who outlawed Judaism and the Temple of Jerusalem was desecrated. A Jewish resistance movement began to grow led by the Maccabees. Three years of fighting ensued and the Maccabees prevailed. </p><p>According to the Talmud, after the Maccabees rededicated the Temple, they were ready to light the Ner Tamid, or Eternal light, but only one small jar of oil &mdash; believed to be enough to last one day -- was found. It lasted for eight days, thus the reason Hanukkah is celebrated for the same length of time. </p><p>Other synagogues are also planning events throughout the week. Altman said Temple Beth-El will have a congregationwide dinner next Friday. </p><p>"It's just a happy time," he said. </p><p>In Palm Coast, a Hanukkah latke party will be held at Temple Beth Shalom. Tickets are $7 for the event, which begins at 12:30 p.m. Sunday.</p><p>Chabad Lubavitch of Greater Daytona, 1079 W. Granada Blvd., Ormond Beach, is having a party scheduled for 2 p.m. Sunday, which will include snow sledding, petting zoo, a BMX bike show and grand menorah lighting, said Rabbi Shmuel Konikov. </p><p>"It will recall the victory of the army that was weak but spiritually strong," he said. </p><p>Konikov said as the eternal light remained lit, so will the Jewish people. </p><p>"With one little candle you can push away the darkness," he said. "It gives us courage to continue."</p>